May 21, 2010

Zimbabwe faces delay in winter wheat planting

Zimbabwe's winter wheat should be planted by mid-May but it was disturbing to hear that prices for inputs are yet to be set making it difficult for farmers to access them.

The latest planting should be by May 15 being the precise date that agriculture experts normally set as the deadline but some inputs, such as compound D fertiliser, is not available, further complicating the challenges for this winter wheat season.

While the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) officials disputed that prices are yet to be set, the fact that farmers are not accessing inputs shows some discrepancy.

For the past few years, preparations have been disappointing and this has contributed to the food shortages and the more critical money shortage in the country.

With the kind of planning that is there it means we are likely to grow less wheat again this season. Zimbabwe has always been a net importer of wheat but it can reduce the import bill by growing more wheat locally. The Arda estates used to come in handy.

The country's economy is driven by agriculture and poor performance in that area affects a number of industries as they use agricultural produce as their raw materials.